Asura Path and Human Path.
These two had come to scout intelligence in this forest. Sensing powerful shinobi fighting ahead, Asura Path swiftly launched a surprise attack, hoping to capture two prisoners for interrogation.
"Didn't expect to run into two strong shinobi as soon as we got to Kiri. They even dodged my Five-Finger Bullet Technique."
Asura Path sounded slightly surprised.
He was a bald muscular man. In life, he had been a puppet master. After death, his corpse was transformed by Nagato using the Six Paths chakra, becoming a war weapon among the Six Paths of Pain, mainly used for offensive operations.
"What a shame they escaped. Otherwise, after reading their memories, I would have obtained valuable intelligence."
Human Path added in agreement.
With orange long hair, he had once been a ninja instructor in Village Hidden in the Waterfall. During wars, he taught children how to survive the worst circumstances. His ability allowed him to capture others' memories and souls, mainly used for intelligence gathering within the Six Paths of Pain.
Though appearing to be conversing, in reality, it was all Nagato's monologue.
"And who exactly are you, to also have the Rinnegan?!"
Just then, an extremely astonished voice came from the side.
Nagato's gaze locked tightly onto Asura Path and Human Path, disbelief clearly written on his face.
He'd always believed the Rinnegan was unique in this world—belonging solely to Madara Uchiha. Yet now, these two suddenly appeared freaks both clearly possessed the Rinnegan.
Hearing this, the two turned around, and simultaneously froze.
"You're... could it really be... Nagato?!"
Human Path excitedly asked, quickly stepping toward Nagato and continuing, "How did you get here? Where are Yahiko and Konan?"
"What did you say? Who's Yahiko and Konan? I don't know them. Also, why do you know my name?"
Frowning deeply, Nagato coldly questioned back.
"Let's take him away first—we can talk somewhere private and figure things out properly."
Asura Path also approached, extending his large hand toward Nagato to take him away.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Nagato transformed into black marsh, causing his entire body to sink rapidly into it.
It was Black Zetsu taking action.
He carried Nagato deep beneath the earth, quickly fleeing toward Kirigakure.
Asura Path and Human Path hurriedly attacked, but after some struggle, failed to stop their escape.
Inside a nearby cave.
"Was that just now... Black Zetsu?"
Nagato sitting in the wheelchair abruptly opened his eyes wide, murmuring.
Within Akatsuki, Black Zetsu belonged to Madara Uchiha's faction. Since he appeared here, did that mean Madara from this timeline was currently in Kirigakure as well?
Moreover, judging from the situation, Madara had already approached young Nagato. No idea what intentions he held.
"It seems like Kirigakure holds many secrets. Time to investigate properly."
Muttering to himself, Nagato then formed a hand seal.
In the forest,
[Puff!] [Puff!]
Asura Path and Human Path vanished in two bursts of smoke, apparently summoned elsewhere.
After everything had settled down.
With a distortion in space, Heiyan reappeared at the spot.
"So it was the Six Paths of Pain who entered this timeline along with Obito Uchiha? Since the Six Paths puppets are here, Nagato's real body must be nearby as well."
He mused inwardly.
Could it be that Nagato had come for Yahiko?
Heiyan speculated. After all, Obito had come for Rin. Nagato might have similar intentions—to reunite with an old friend or even take this timeline's Yahiko back with him.
Earlier, he had avoided direct confrontation with the Human Path and Asura Path—not because he couldn't defeat them, but because he wanted to let enemies destroy each other.
Heiyan figured that to retrieve little Nagato, the Six Paths of Pain would definitely invade Kiri. At that point, Nagato and Madara were bound to clash. And when they did, Heiyan would have a better chance to fish in troubled waters and increase his odds of seizing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Even better, if both sides destroyed each other, he could reap all the benefits effortlessly by capturing them all in one net.
Things were getting more interesting by the minute.
Thinking about it, Heiyan smiled inwardly.
However, before officially stepping into this grand performance, he hadn't forgotten—he still had three kids to deal with first.
Thus, Heiyan returned once more to Kamui's space.
Inside the space,
Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi lay on either side of the ground, and the Shadow Clone Heiyan left behind was treating their wounds.
Mei Terumi had already regained mobility and actively joined in, lending a helping hand.
The clone disappeared in a puff of smoke after finishing their treatments.
"Hey Mei Terumi, looks like you arrived here before us," Zabuza glanced around before frowning and asking, "who exactly is this masked figure? Why did he rescue us, and what does he want?"
Kisame also fixed his gaze on her, waiting patiently for an answer.
"I don't know either," Mei shrugged helplessly, showing no knowledge on the matter.
At that moment, Heiyan's original body entered Kamui's space.
His gaze scanned the three kids' faces. After brief consideration, under the shocked, doubtful, and reverent stares from the trio, he placed a hand on each of their shoulders and used Kamui again, initiating another transfer.
Back at Kiri, inside the Mizukage building's basement,
[Phantom Dragon Nine Seals] was entering its final stage. The Eight-Tails chakra inside Burubi was being pulled into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and the statue's fourth eye opened wide.
"The Eight-Tail's chakra is indeed immense—second only to the Nine-Tails. It was worth all the sleepless efforts to seal it away."
Madara Uchiha raised his head, seeing the wide-open fourth eye on the statue, revealing a satisfied expression.
Just as he prepared to rest a bit, White Zetsu hurriedly entered the hidden room.
"Why have you returned? Where is Nagato?" Madara asked, puzzled.
"Lord Madara, the masked figure you mentioned has appeared..." In haste, White Zetsu recounted everything that had happened deep within the forest.
"No matter his intentions, we should put the Genin Trials on hold for now and bring Nagato back immediately."
Madara frowned slightly, displaying displeasure.
He formed hand seals and awakened the peacefully resting Tobirama Senju, then ordered him to use [Flying Thunder God] to go immediately to the forests and retrieve Nagato.
However, just as Tobirama Senju was about to set off.
Hmm?
Madara Uchiha suddenly sensed through [Rain Tiger at Will] that several abnormally powerful chakra signatures had instantly entered Kiri.
Soon after.
KABOOM! KABOOM!
From outside the village came deafening explosion sounds. With the earth shaking violently, even the ceiling of the basement trembled, and countless bits of dirt rained down.
Swish.
At this moment, Black Zetsu emerged from deep beneath the earth along with Nagato, immediately reporting the news of encountering the Human Path and Asura Path enemies to Madara.
"Two unidentified enemy ninja, both with the Rinnegan? Could they be the ones attacking Kiri?"
After hearing this, Madara also revealed an astonished expression, clearly finding it hard to believe.
But there was no time to dwell on it. Instantly, he formed hand seals and awakened all the Impure World Reincarnation Puppets.
"Attack!"
At his command, Hashirama Senju and the others sprang into action, streaming out of the basement one after another.
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